'Jimmy Anderson's performance in India - for a seamer bowler to perform like he did was phenomenal - that's worth a player-of-the-year award.

'Then there's Cooky, the way he led from the front in India.

'There are a number of guys who have put in huge performances.

'They've obviously just pulled a name out of the hat! So I'm hugely honoured - but it could have been a number of guys.'

Prior, whose year was capped by an heroic and unbeaten century to help somehow draw the Auckland Test in March, is renowned as a selfless cricketer.

He explained what makes him tick when he takes the field.

'Anytime I go out to play an innings, the first thing you think about is what you need to do to get into the best position to win or save a game.

Safe hands: Prior became the first wicketkeeper to win the annual accolade

'It's 'what do I need to do to get the scoreboard in the right place', rather than 'how many runs do I need to average 50'.

'I just can't perform like that. I can't do it.

'There have been times in the past where people have said 'you need to look after that bit, or get more not-outs'.

'I'm not saying I'm the ultimate team player. It's just the way I play sport - to win. That's where I get the enjoyment from.'

As for his Auckland tour de force, Prior added: 'I've had a huge amount of plaudits - basically because I was there at the end.

'Ian Bell played an unbelievable innings that day to take so much time out of the game; Stuart Broad - I've never seen Broady bat that long without getting off the mark or even playing a shot in anger, having a slog or something.

'That was a huge effort to get us over the line.'

The 31-year-old is not about to start believing his own hype either, with the first Test set to start against New Zealand at Lord's this week.

'It's a fickle world - if I punch one on Thursday, I'll be rubbish again.

'Everyone else can say their bits - I'll just concentrate on catching as many balls as I can and keep working hard.

'In years to come, when I hope I've played a few more years and caught a few more catches, we can see where I sit.'